Pramod Mahajan

Biography

My learning experiences form the foundation of my teaching philosophy. Built upon this foundation is a multifaceted framework of skills and knowledge. This framework, like the Lego sets, is modular. The modular design provides sufficient structure to support teaching the fact-based life sciences curriculum. On the other hand, it’s inherent flexibility allows for creativity and expansion, much needed for serving today’s diverse, information savvy student body. Pedagogically, teaching and learning are both very complex processes. Ideally, they would be mutually non-exclusive, i.e. occurring simultaneously. Using a chemical metaphor, both are active processes, requiring certain level of concentration (pun intended!), energy and time. These three parameters are to be contributed by both components, i.e. the teacher and the student body, involved in this interaction.I strongly believe that a teacher, especially at the University level, has some additional roles to play. The teacher is primarily responsible for generating that enthusiasm for learning, that thirst for knowledge, that quest for wanting to achieve. How do I do this? In a limited sense, by working like a catalyst-an enzyme- by increasing the ‘activation energy’ of the learning process of a student! I try to achieve this by being passionate in imparting knowledge. With passion comes enthusiasm. Use of modern teaching aids (presentations, films) will only help build the enthusiasm for today’s University students. Additionally, interactions among students and faculty, group discussions and seminars, hands -on experimentation, and field trips are some other methods I use effectively to generate and keep the levels of enthusiasm high in my class. Moreover, I entrust students with the responsibility for their progress as much as I take the responsibility to help them achieve their goals in learning. I believe a teacher’s role extends beyond simply delivering complex technical information to students. In fact, a University teacher must be prepared to act as a mentor, a coach, a guide, and provide timely feedback to the students. I try to fulfill this role with dedication and patience.

Research Interest

Gene Discovery & Modification